Electronic Cigarette Having Reusable Base with Heating Element

ABSTRACT

An electronic cigarette has a base part and a cartridge configured to be assembled thereto. The base part includes a battery and at least one heating element connected to the battery. The cartridge includes: a substance chamber configured for containing therein a substance to be smoked, wherein the substance chamber has a substance outlet; a vaporization chamber in communication with the substance outlet for receiving the substance therein; and at least one heat transfer unit configured, at least when the cartridge is assembled to the base part, for being heated by the heating element of the base part and for heating the substance provided via the substance outlet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/748,549, filed Jan. 29, 2018, now allowed, which is a 371 filing fromInternational Application No. PCT/IL2017/050429, filed Apr. 7, 2017,that claims priority under 35 USC § 119 to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/321,807, filed Apr. 13, 2016, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entities.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application is directed to an electronic cigarette, inparticular, an electronic cigarette comprising a heating element in thereusable part and including additional user features.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Electronic cigarettes have become quite common in recent years inreplacing regular cigarettes, providing a healthier alternative tocommon tobacco-based substances without considerably affecting thesmoking experience.

An electronic cigarette commonly comprises a base part accommodating allthe operating components of the electronic cigarette (processor, batteryetc.), and a disposable part which contains the smoked substancefilling, and which is discarded/refilled after a given period of use.

In general, the base part comprises the core components of theelectronic cigarette which are configured for vaporizing the smokedsubstance which resides, in a liquid state, in the disposable part. Forthis purpose, a heating element (e.g., a coil) is commonly implementedin the disposable part which is electrically wired to the battery oncethe disposable part and base part are assembled, and which is configuredfor transferring heat to the smoked substance for the purpose of itsvaporization.

Exemplary patents dealing with heating element in the cartridge arebased on:

-   -   heating element in atomizing component in cartridge pipe        (Shenzhen smoore technology Ltd., Electronic cigarette,        WO2015043126);    -   heating element and e-liquid to constitute the atomizer (SIS        Resources Ltd. WO2015028891); and    -   two heating elements gathering in the same area (the        aerosolization zone) 2 vaporized liquids from 2 different        reservoirs. Transport elements are entangled with heating        element and create the aerosolization zone. (R.J. Reynolds        Tobacco Co. US 2014/0000638).

Exemplary patents dealing with heating in the disposable part are basedon impregnation of a mesh and/or roving with e-liquid and heat it by aseparated heated coiled. Heated coil is placed in a disposable part(with the battery) and the cartridge is in the disposable part. Hencethere is no vaporization chamber (distance between mesh and liquidstorage, see Ruyan investment holdings Ltd., Electronic cigaretteWO2013155645).

Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred asmeaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of thepresently disclosed subject matter.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one aspect of the subject matter of the presentapplication, there is provided an electronic cigarette comprising a basepart and a cartridge configured to be assembled thereto, said base partcomprising: a battery and at least one heating element connected to thebattery, and said cartridge comprising a substance chamber configuredfor containing therein a substance to be smoked, said substance chambercomprising a substance outlet; a vaporization chamber in communicationwith the substance outlet for receiving said substance therein; and atleast one heat transfer unit configured, at least when the cartridge isassembled to the base part, for being heated by the heating element ofthe base part and for heating to the substance being provided via saidsubstance outlet for its vaporization in the vaporization chamber.

In accordance with another aspect of the subject matter of the presentapplication, there is provided a cartridge for an electronic cigarette,said cartridge being configured to be assembled with a base part of theelectronic cigarette having a battery and at least one heating elementconnected to the battery, said cartridge comprising: a substance chamberconfigured for containing therein a substance to be smoked, saidsubstance chamber comprising a substance outlet; a vaporization chamberin communication with the substance outlet for receiving said substancetherein; and at least one heat transfer unit configured, at least whenthe cartridge is assembled to the base part, for being heated by theheating element of the base part and for heating the substance beingprovided via said substance outlet for its vaporization in thevaporization chamber.

The substance to be smoked will hereinafter be referred to as ‘smokedsubstance’. It should be understood that the term ‘smoked substance’does not necessitate actual smoking and merely refers to the substance(e.g., liquid) which, eventually, may be vaporized for providing theuser with a smoking experience.

Under the above arrangement, the heating element does not come intodirect contact with the substance chamber and, more importantly, withthe smoked substance itself.

The cartridge can further comprise a sorption member at least partiallydisposed within the vaporization chamber. Under such a design, the heatis delivered from the heat transfer unit to the sorption member byconduction.

The sorption member can be made of any material or a combination ofmaterials being able to perform sorption and/or absorption of anothermaterial, and can be made, for example, of one or more of the followingmaterials: fiber, glass, aluminum, cotton, ceramic, cellulose, glassfiber wick, stainless steel mesh, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene,polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly(cyclohexanedimethyleneterephthalate) (PCT), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT),polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), expanded polytetrafluoroethylene(ePTFE), and BAREX®, etc.

The heat transfer unit can have a first side configured, when thecartridge is assembled to the base part, for interfacing the heatingelement for receiving heat therefrom, and a second side facing thesubstance outlet for providing heat to the substrate being provided fromthe substrate outlet.

When the cartridge is assembled to the base part, the heating elementcan be separated from the vaporization chamber by the heat transferunit.

The cartridge can further comprise a porous member interposed betweenthe substance outlet and the heat transfer unit. The porous member canbe also interposed between the substance chamber and the vaporizationchamber. The porous member and the sorption member can be integrated thesame member. The sorption member can at least partially be surrounded byor disposed within the porous member. The porous member can provideprotection to the sorption member and/or hold the sorption member. Theporous member can be formed as a mesh. The porous member can be made,for example, from stainless steel, or any other similar material whichis able to transfer substance.

The vaporization chamber can be interposed between the porous member andthe heat transfer unit.

The porous member can have a first surface associated with the substanceoutlet for absorbing the substance, and a second surface associated withthe heat transfer unit, for allowing passage of the substance from thesubstance chamber to the vaporization chamber. The first surface can beimmersed in the substance.

The second surface can be associated with the heat transfer unit byfacing the heat transfer unit and can be separated from the heattransfer unit by the vaporization chamber for allowing introduction ofthe substance from the second surface into the vaporization chamber forits heating and thereby its vaporization.

In accordance with one design embodiment, the arrangement can be suchthat the second surface of the porous member does not come into directcontact with the heat transfer unit, thereby minimizing any chance ofdamage to the porous member by the heat transfer unit.

The porous member can be formed with a hole extending therethroughbetween the first surface and the second surface and establishing fluidcommunication between the vaporization chamber and a mouthpiece of thecartridge via a vaporization channel, thereby allowing the vaporizedsubstance to escape from the vaporization chamber via the mouthpiece.The hole can constitute at least part of the vaporization chamber.

In accordance with another design embodiment, the second surface of theporous member can be at least partially in direct contact with the heattransfer unit, thereby increasing the efficiency of heat transfer to thesorption member, thereby increasing vaporization of the smokedsubstance. Under such a design, the heat is delivered from the heattransfer unit to the second surface of the porous member by conduction.

The sorption member can have an elongated form (e.g. a string, stripetc.). The sorption member can be in the form of a flat cap, cover orcushion of soft material. In particular, the sorption member can besized and shaped to fit the cross-section of one of the vaporizationchamber and substance chamber. The porous member can be sized and shapedto fit the cross-section of one of the vaporization chamber andsubstance chamber.

The cartridge can further comprise: a cartridge housing at leastpartially including said substance chamber and said vaporizationchamber, and a vaporization channel extending along the cartridgehousing and in fluid communication with the vaporization chamber. Thecartridge housing can have a proximal end configured with a mouthpiecewhich is in fluid communication with the vaporization chamber via thevaporization channel and a distal end associated with the heat transferunit. The mouthpiece is configured for providing the vaporized substanceto the user. The heat transfer unit can be disposed at the distal end.The heat transfer unit can be perpendicular to the vaporization channel.

The substance chamber can be juxtaposed with the vaporization channelextending between the vaporization chamber and the mouthpiece. Thesubstance chamber can be disposed at the surrounding of the vaporizationchannel.

The cartridge housing can comprise a first air inlet formed therein forestablishing fluid communication between an exterior of the cartridgeand the vaporization chamber for allowing passage of air into thevaporization chamber for its vaporization therein with the substance.

The first air inlet can be disposed in proximity to the distal end ofthe cartridge.

The base part can have a base housing having an interfacing portionassociated with the heating element and configured for interfacing thedistal end of the cartridge housing when the cartridge is assembled tothe base part, so as to bring the heating element into proximity orcontact with the heat transfer unit.

The interfacing portion can comprise a second air inlet formed therein,and configured at least when the cartridge is assembled to the base partfor establishing fluid communication between an exterior of theelectronic cigarette and the vaporization chamber via the first airinlet for allowing passage of air into the vaporization chamber for itsvaporization therein with the substance. When the cartridge is assembledto the base part, the first air inlet and the second air inlet can beinline with each other.

In assembly, the cartridge is attached to the base part so that the heattransfer unit comes into contact with the heating element to receiveheat therefrom by conduction.

In operation, upon turning on the electrical cigarette, the batteryelectrically heats the heating element of the base part, which thenprovides its heat by conduction to the heating element. This, in turn,provides the heat the sorption member, entailing vaporization of thesubstance absorbed therein.

As this process is continuous, the substance from the substance chamberkeeps filling (owing to capillarity absorbing effects) the sorptionmember, thereby providing a constant supply of substance thereto.Substance vapors created during the above process are forced to escapethe cartridge via the vaporization channel leading to the mouthpiece andto the user.

The heat transfer unit can be made of thermally conductive material, forexample, metals (e.g., aluminum, copper, etc.).

The cartridge housing can be made of one or more of the followingmaterials: aluminum, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyimides, such asKapton®, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE),high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS),fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),polyoxymethylene (POM), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), Acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS), Polycarbonates (PC), epoxy resins, polyurethaneresins and vinyl resins. The parts of the cartridge housing can beassembled or at least partially over-moulded.

The heating element can be made of an electrically resistive material.The heating element can comprise a non-elastic material, for example aceramic sintered material, such as alumina (Al2O3) and silicon nitride(S13N4), or printed circuit board or silicon rubber. The heating elementcan comprise an elastic, metallic material, for example an iron alloy ora nickel-chromium alloy.

The electrically resistive material of the heating element can includeone or more of the following materials: semiconductors such as dopedceramics, electrically “conductive” ceramics (such as, for example,molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys andcomposite materials made of a ceramic material and a metallic material.Such composite materials may comprise doped or undoped ceramics.Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbides.Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum andmetals from the platinum group. Examples of suitable metal alloysinclude stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-,aluminum-titanium-zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-,tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium- and manganese-alloys, andsuper-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetal®and iron-manganese-aluminum based alloys. Timetal® is a registeredtrademark of Titanium Metals Corporation, 1999 Broadway Suite 4300,Denver, Colo. In composite materials, the electrically resistivematerial may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coated with aninsulating material or vice-versa, depending on the kinetics of energytransfer and the external physicochemical properties required.

The heating element may be formed using a metal having a definedrelationship between temperature and resistivity. In such embodiments,the metal may be formed as a track between two layers of suitableinsulating materials. A heating element formed in this manner may beused both as a heater and a temperature sensor. The heating element caninclude a temperature sensor embedded therein or attached thereto. Theheating element can be at least partially encapsulated in or coated witha protecting material, such as glass.

The battery can be a DC voltage source. For example, the battery can bea Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, or a Lithiumbased battery, for example a Lithium-Cobalt, a Lithium-Iron-Phosphate, aLithium-Ion or a Lithium-Polymer battery.

Throughout the entire process, neither the substance nor the sorptionmember comes into any contact with the heating element, as they areseparated at least by the heat transfer unit. In other words, the secondsurface of the sorption member heats up owing only to its associationwith the heat transfer unit.

Such a configuration has at least the following advantages:

-   -   reducing the risk of corrosion process on the heating element,        modification of vaporization temperature and decrease in heater        efficiency;    -   reducing the risk of liquid ingestion with unperfected        vaporization process, or heating element with filter addition;    -   reducing exposure to fouling, steams properties modifications        and cartridge cost increase;    -   reducing risk of explosion with unperfected vaporization based        on pressure devices; and    -   reducing flammability risk with the contact between sorption        member and the heating element (as known in the art).

It should also be noted that since the heating element is accommodatedwithin the base part, which is reusable, it allows using a higher-gradeheating element, with better safety characteristics and heating capacityand efficiency, something that is not economically viable when theheating element is accommodated within the disposable part (i.e., thecartridge).

In addition, the elimination of contact between the smoked substance andthe heating element allows, for all practical purposes, considerablyreducing the chance of any residual taste from being transferred betweenrefills/replacements of the cartridge.

The base part can further comprise a processor associated withelectrical components of the electronic cigarette, including thebattery. The electrical components can be configured for providingadditional features to the electronic cigarette, some of which are:

-   -   a sensing unit (e.g., a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a compass,        etc.) connected to the processor for identifying movement or        position of the electronic cigarette and thereby allow a        gesture-based operation thereof. In case of an internal        gyroscope, it can be constituted by or supplemented by any other        sensor like a compass or an accelerometer configured to detect        gestures. For example, the electronic cigarette can be tipped        twice to be ‘switched-on’ and/or waived to the side to indicate        switching off; a puff detector based on a microphone or a        pressure sensor, connected to processor. In an example in which        the puff detector is a microphone, when a user breathes in, it        produces a specific vibration used to count puffs. The puff        detector can detect the power with which the user breathes and        thereby automatically adapt the quantity of the delivered smoked        substance;    -   cigarette equivalency measure—allowing the processor to        determine, based on the number of puffs and length of each puff,        what is the estimated number of corresponding ‘real life        cigarettes’ smoked by the user and alert him to the fact. For        example, the processor can be configured to provide a signal to        the user that he has smoked over ten cigarettes and set an        alert. Alternatively, the user may be able to set, in advance, a        cigarette limit after which the electronic cigarette shuts down        for a predetermined amount of time;    -   electronic turns off the cigarette, when the puff number or/and        defined puffing time breathed in is equivalent to a defined puff        number or/and defined puffing time.

In general, the subject matter of the present application provides atleast the following advantages:

-   -   simple flavor replacement by replacing one cartridge with        another cartridge;    -   contact prevention between the substance in the cartridge, and        the heating element, avoiding flavor transfer from one cartridge        to another; —prevention of contact between the emerged sorption        member and the heating element, decreasing risk roving fire        ignition; and    -   allowing use of a reusable opened (or ongoing) cartridge.

In accordance with another aspect of the subject matter of the presentapplication, there is provided an electronic cigarette comprising a basepart and a cartridge configured to be assembled thereto, said base partcomprising a battery, a processor associated with the battery and one ormore orientation components associated with the processor, saidorientation component being configured for identifying movement,orientation or spatial position of at least the base part and providingdata regarding said movement to the processor, based on which saidprocessor is configured for at least turning the battery on/off. It isappreciated that based on different gestures performed by the user, e.g.orienting the electronic cigarette in a certain manner or moving it in aspecific direction, the processor can provide additional operationalmodes of the electronic cigarette, e.g. standby mode, regulation ofvapor amount, timed smoking programs, etc. The electronic cigarette canbe configured for being turned on by a predetermined shaking motionthereof by a user.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the subject matter of thepresent application, there is provided an electronic cigarettecomprising a base part configured to be assembled to a cartridgeincluding a substance, said base part comprising a battery, and aprocessor associated with the battery, and at least one sensorycomponent associated with the cartridge and with the processor, saidsensory component being configured for obtaining at least one smokingparameter from the cartridge and providing said data to the processor,and wherein said processor is configured, at least during operation ofthe cigarette, for calculating a second smoking parameter based on saidfirst smoking parameter and provide a corresponding output to either theuser or the battery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosedherein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice,embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electronic cigaretteaccording to one example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-section of one example of a cartridge usedin the electronic cigarette shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-section of another example of a cartridgeused in the electronic cigarette shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2C is a schematic cross-section of yet another example of acartridge used in the electronic cigarette shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a disassembled electroniccigarette according to another example of the present disclosed subjectmatter; and

FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic cigaretteof FIG. 3A in its assembled form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first drawn to FIG. 1 in which a schematic cross-section ofthe electronic cigarette of the present application is shown, generallydesignated 1 and comprising a base part 10 and a cartridge 20 attachedto one another.

The base part 10 comprises a cylindrical housing 12 accommodatingtherein a battery 14 connected to a heating element 16 located at afirst end 12 a of the housing 12 and having an interface surface 17configured for matching a corresponding interface surface 27 of thecartridge. The battery 14 is configured for providing the heatingelement 16 with the necessary power for its operation, allowing it tobecome heated to a required temperature.

The battery 14 is also connected to a processor unit 18 and a sensor 15,providing the required power for their operation. The processor unit 18is connected to both the sensor 15 and the heating element 16. Bothprocessor unit 18 and the sensor 15 are located, in this specificexample, on an opposite side of the battery 14 to that of the heatingelement 16, wherein the battery 14 acts as a divider between the heatingelement 16 and other sensitive components of the electronic cigarette 1.However, this arrangement is not compulsory and any other arrangement ofthe components within the base part 10 may be applicable.

In addition, the sensor 15 can be configured for identifying movement,orientation and spatial position of at least the base part 10, andproviding this information (hereinafter: spatial data) to the processor18. Based on the spatial data, the processor 18 can determine whether toturn the heating element 16 on/off, and/or if to set a certainoperational regime of the electronic cigarette 1, e.g. standby mode,regulation of vapor amount, timed smoking programs etc.

Thus, in operation, upon identification of a predetermined gesture ofthe user by the sensor 15, this information is provided from the sensor15 to the processor 18, which then determines, based on said gesture,the proper operational mode of the electronic cigarette 1. Upondetermining such a mode, the processor 18, which is directly linked tothe heating element 16, provides the latter with the proper operationalsignal determining the required temperature and heating rate of theheating element 16, while the power for such heating is supplied by thebattery 14.

As a result, the electronic cigarette 1 can be configured for beingoperated using gestures and positions thereof, for example, adouble-shake of the electronic cigarette 1 can indicate to the processorto turn the electronic cigarette 1 on/off whereas holding the electroniccigarette 1 in a vertical orientation can indicate the processor to seta ‘standby’ mode for the electronic cigarette 1. It should beappreciated that the sensor can be of various types (e.g. sound, motion,orientation, acceleration etc.), whereby the gestures required from theuser in order to operate the electronic cigarette can changecorrespondingly, e.g. (knocking the electronic cigarette against asurface, speed of motion eng.).

With additional reference being made to FIG. 2A, the cartridge 20 of theelectronic cigarette 1 comprises a cartridge housing 22 accommodating aheat transfer unit 24 located at a distal end 22 a of the cartridgehousing 22 and having the interface surface 27 configured for matching acorresponding interface surface 17 of the heating element 16, when thecartridge 20 is attached to the base 10. At an opposite proximal end 22b of the cartridge housing 22, the cartridge 20 comprises a mouthpiece30, configured for being introduced into a user's mouth (not shown).

The housing 22 is formed with a substance chamber 28 configured forcontaining therein a flavored substance S to be smoked by the user. Thechamber 28 is extending between the proximal end 22 b and the distal end22 a, but is spaced from the distal end 22 a. The substance chamber 28surrounds a vaporization chamber 23 formed as hole therein. Thevaporization chamber 23 coextends with a vaporization channel 25 whichcoextends with a mouthpiece channel 32 of the mouthpiece 30.

The housing 20 further accommodates therein a sorption member 26juxtaposed between the heat transfer unit 24 and the substance chamber28 The sorption member 26 is configured, on the one hand, for absorbingtherein some of the substance S, and, on the other hand, for beingheated by the heat transfer unit 24 thereby allowing the substance Sabsorbed therein to vaporize into the vaporization chamber 23 and escapefrom the vaporization chamber 23 via the vaporization channel 25 to theuser via the mouthpiece 30. Although not shown in FIG. 2A, thevaporization chamber 23 is in fluid communication with the exterior ofthe electronic cigarette 1 for receiving air thereto when the userinhales the smoked substance via the mouthpiece 30.

In operation, the heating element 16 is heated up by the battery andprovides it heat to the heat transfer unit 24 via conduction between theinterface surfaces 17, 27. Thus, the sorption member 26 is heatedindirectly via the heat transfer unit 24 and not directly via theheating element, leading to considerable advantages in terms of safety,temperature control and reliability of the electronic cigarette 1.

As a result of heating of the sorption member 26, the substance Sabsorbed therein vaporizes in the vaporization chamber 23 and the vaporescapes the cartridge 20 via the vaporization channel 25 as indicated bythe arrows.

It is important to note that in this example, the sorption member 26takes up substantially all the space between the substance chamber 28and the heat transfer unit 24 so that it has a first surface 26 aconfigured for absorbing the substance S from the substance chamber 28and a second, opposite surface 26 b configured for being heated by theheat transfer unit 24.

Turning now to FIGS. 2B and 2C, two additional examples of cartridgedesigns are shown, generally designate 20′ and 20″ respectively.

In the example shown in FIG. 2B, the sorption member 26′ is in the formof a ring having its first side rim 26 a′ disposed within the substancechamber 28 so that it is immersed in the substance S. A second side rim26 b′ is disposed closer to the heat transfer unit 24 and configured forbeing heated thereby. It is observed that the sorption member 26′ doesnot occupy the entire space delimited between the substance chamber 28and the heat transfer unit 24, which constitutes, in this example, avaporization chamber 23.

Under this example, any substance S being vaporized owing to the heatprovided by the heat transfer unit 24 first resides in the vaporizationchamber 23 and is gradually and continuously removed therefrom via thechannel 25 according to the user's puffs and sucking on the mouthpiece.

With attention being drawn to FIG. 2C, yet another example is shown,generally designated 20″ in which, instead of a ring-like sorptionmember 26′, the one used here is a sorption member 26″ which hasextensions dipped in the substance S contained in the substance chamber28, gradually absorbing the substance S into the member 26″. Theoperation is similar to that previously described with respect to FIG.2B.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A and 3B, illustrating a cross-sectionalview of another example of an electronic cigarette, generally designated100 and comprising a base part 110 and a cartridge 150. In FIG. 3A thebase part 110 and the cartridge 150 are assembled to each other, andbeing operated by a user.

The base part 110 comprises a cylindrical base housing 112 accommodatingtherein a battery 114 connected to a heating element 116 located at afirst end 112 a of the base housing 112 and having an interface surface117. The battery 114 is configured for providing the heating element 116with the necessary power for its operation, allowing it to become heatedto a required temperature.

The cartridge 150 is structured of a cartridge housing 152 having aproximal end 154 with a mouthpiece 156 configured for being introducedinto a user's mouth (not shown), and a distal end 158 configured to beintroduced into the first end 112 a of the base housing 110. Thecartridge housing 152 includes a substance chamber 160 extending alongits length and containing therein a substance 162 to be smoked. Thesubstance chamber has a substance outlet 161 disposed at the distal end158 of the cartridge housing 150, and configured for allowing thesubstance 162 to escape from the substance chamber 160.

The cartridge housing 152 further comprises a vaporization chamber 170in communication with the substance outlet 161 for receiving thesubstance 162 therein, and a heat transfer unit 180 configured, when thecartridge is assembled to the base part 110, for being heated by theheating element 116 of the base part 110 and for heating the substance162 being provided via the substance outlet 161 for its vaporization inthe vaporization chamber 170. The vaporization chamber 170 is in fluidcommunication with a vaporization channel 172 extending from thevaporization chamber 170 to the mouthpiece 156. The vaporization chamber170 coextends with the substance chamber 160, while the substancechamber 160 fully surrounds the vaporization channel 172. The heattransfer unit 180 is perpendicular to the vaporization channel 172. Theheating element can include a temperature sensor (not shown) attachedthereto or integrated therein for providing a signal determining therequired temperature and heating rate of the heating element 116, whilethe power for such heating is supplied by the battery 114.

The heat transfer unit 180 has a first side 181 configured, when thecartridge 150 is assembled to the base part 110, for interfacing aheating surface 117 of the heating element 116 for receiving heattherefrom, and an opposite second side 182 facing the vaporizationchamber 170 for providing heat to the substrate being provided from thesubstrate outlet 161.

The base housing 112 has an interfacing portion 120 disposed inproximity to the heating element 116 and configured for interfacing thedistal end 158 of the cartridge housing 152 when the cartridge 150 isassembled to the base part 110, so as to bring the heating element 116to contact with the heat transfer unit 180. In particular, in assemblyof the cartridge 150 with the base part 110, the heating surface 117 isfully matched with the first side 181 of the heat transfer unit 180 fortransferring heat from the heating element 116 to the heat transfer unit180, and from the heat transfer unit 180 via the second side 182 to thevaporization chamber 170 in which the smoked substance is heated andvaporized. The configuration of the electronic cigarette is thus suchthat when the cartridge 150 is assembled to the base part 110, theheating element 116 is separated from the vaporization chamber 170 bythe heat transfer unit 180.

The cartridge housing 154 further comprises a first air inlet 159 formedat the distal end 158 for establishing fluid communication between anexterior of the cartridge 150 and the vaporization chamber 170 forallowing passage of air into the vaporization chamber 170 for itsvaporization therein with the substance 162 being supplied via thesubstance outlet 161.

The interfacing portion 120 comprises a second air inlet 121 formedtherein, and configured when the cartridge 150 is assembled to the basepart 110 for establishing fluid communication between an exterior of theelectronic cigarette 100 and the vaporization chamber 170 via the firstair inlet 159 for allowing passage of air into the vaporization chamber170 for its vaporization therein with the substance 162 being suppliedvia the substance outlet 161. As shown in FIG. 3b , when the cartridge150 is assembled to the base part 110, said first air inlet 159 and saidsecond air inlet 121 are inline with each other.

The vaporization chamber 170 includes a sorption member 175 disposedtherein. The sorption member 175 is configured, on the one hand, forabsorbing some of the substance 162, and, on the other hand, for beingheated by the heat transfer unit 180 thereby allowing the substance 162absorbed therein to vaporize into the vaporization chamber 170 andescape from the vaporization chamber 170 via the vaporization channel172 to the user via the mouthpiece 156.

The cartridge housing 152 further comprises a porous member 190interposed between the substance outlet 161 and the vaporization chamber170, so that the vaporization chamber 170 is interposed between theporous member 190 and the heat transfer unit 180. The porous member 190has a first surface 191 facing the substance outlet 161 and an oppositesecond surface 192 facing the sorption member 175 in the vaporizationchamber 170, for allowing passage of the substance 162 from saidsubstance chamber 160 to the sorption member 175. The second surface 192is associated with the heat transfer unit 180 by facing its second side182 and is separated from the heat transfer unit 180 by saidvaporization chamber 170 for allowing introduction of the substance 160from the second surface 192 into the sorption member 175 in thevaporization chamber 170 for its heating and thereby its vaporizationtherein. The porous member 190 is sized and shaped to fit thecross-section of the distal end 158 of the cartridge housing 154.

The porous member 190 is formed with a hole 193 extending therethroughbetween the first surface 191 and the second surface 192 andestablishing fluid communication between the vaporization chamber 170and the mouthpiece 156 via the vaporization channel 172, therebyallowing the vaporized substance to escape from the vaporization chamber170, and in particular, from the sorption member 175 via the mouthpiece156 during smoking the vaporized substance by the user. During operationof the electronic cigarette 100, the heat is configured to be deliveredfrom the heat transfer unit 180 to the sorption member 175 byconduction.

It should be indicated that according to other examples, the sorptionmember 175 and the porous member 190 can be integrated in the samemember, so that the sorption member is in direct contact with thesubstance outlet 161.

Reference is now made specifically to FIG. 3B to explain the manner ofoperation of the electronic cigarette 100 during use by a user. Inoperation, the heating element 116 is heated up by the battery 114 andprovides heat from its heating surface 117 to the first side 181 of theheat transfer unit 180 via 24 by conduction. The heat from the heattransfer unit is designated by an arrow 200. During use of theelectronic cigarette 100 by a user, the user inhales air which isprovided to the vaporization chamber 170, and in particular, to thesorption member 175 via the second air inlet 121 and the first air inlet159, and designated by an arrow 210. Simultaneously, the smokedsubstance 160 is provided via the second surface 192 of the porousmember 190 to the vaporization chamber 170 as well, and this substanceis designated by an arrow 220. The smoked substance 220 is mixed withthe air 210 and heated by the heat 200 is the vaporization chamber 170.The heating of the air 210 and the smoked substance 220 results in theirvaporization in the sorption member 175 within the vaporization chamber170. The vaporized substance, which is designated by an arrow 230, isafterwards transferred via the vaporization channel 172 to themouthpiece 156, and from there to the user.

During the above operation, the sorption member 175 is heated indirectlyvia the heat transfer unit 180 and not directly via the heating element116, leading to considerable advantages in terms of safety, temperaturecontrol and reliability of the electronic cigarette 100.

The battery 114 is also connected to an electronic unit 115 including aprocessor 118 and a sensing unit 119, for providing the required powerfor operation of the electronic unit 115 and its components. Theprocessor 118 is connected to both the sensing unit 119 and the heatingelement 116. The sensing unit 119 can be configured for identifyingmovement, orientation and spatial position of at least the base part110, and providing this information (hereinafter: spatial data) to theprocessor 118. Based on the spatial data, the processor 118 candetermine whether to turn the heating element 116 on/off, and/or if toset a certain operational regime of the electronic cigarette 100, e.g.standby mode, regulation of vapor amount, timed smoking programs etc.

Thus, in operation, upon identification of a predetermined gesture ofthe user by the sensing unit 119, this information is provided from thesensing unit 119 to the processor 118, which then determines, based onsaid gesture, the proper operational mode of the electronic cigarette100. Upon determining such a mode, the processor 118, which is directlylinked to the heating element 116, provides the latter with the properoperational signal determining the required temperature and heating rateof the heating element 116, while the power for such heating is suppliedby the battery 114.

As a result, the electronic cigarette 100 can be configured for beingoperated using gestures and positions thereof, for example, adouble-shake of the electronic cigarette 100 can indicate to theprocessor to turn the electronic cigarette 100 on/off whereas holdingthe electronic cigarette 100 in a vertical orientation can indicate theprocessor to set a ‘standby’ mode for the electronic cigarette 100. Itshould be appreciated that the sensing unit 119 can include varioustypes of sensors (e.g. sound, motion, orientation, acceleration etc.),whereby the gestures required from the user in order to operate theelectronic cigarette 100 can change correspondingly, e.g. (knocking theelectronic cigarette against a surface, speed of motion eng.).

The base part 110 further comprises a puff detector 111 (e.g., apressure sensor or a microphone), connected to the processor 118 forproviding puff detection. The puff detector 111 is disposed in fluidcommunication with the second air inlet 121 via a third air inlet 122,so that when air 210 passes along the second air inlet 210, it alsoenters into the third air inlet 122. The air that passes along the thirdair inlet 122 is shown in FIG. 3B by arrows 240. During operation of theelectronic cigarette, the puff detector 111 and the processor 118 areconfigured to identify air pressure changes of the air 240, andperforming different operations respectively. This operation includes,for example, counting puffs for various purposes, turning off thecigarette when the puff number breathed is equivalent to a defined puffnumber and/or puffing time, and detecting the power with which the userbreathes and thereby automatically adapting the quantity of thedelivered smoked substance. The information provided by the puffdetector 111 can allow the processor 118 to determine, based on thenumber of puffs and length of each puff, what is the estimated number ofcorresponding ‘real life cigarettes’ smoked by the user and alert him tothe fact. For example, the processor 118 can be configured to provide asignal to the user that he has smoked over ten cigarettes and set analert. Alternatively, the user may be able to set, in advance, acigarette limit after which the electronic cigarette shuts down for apredetermined amount of time.

Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readilyappreciate that numerous changes, variations, and modifications can bemade without departing from the scope of the invention, mutatismutandis.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cartridge for an electronic cigarette, saidcartridge being configured to be assembled to a base part of theelectronic cigarette, the base part having a battery and at least oneheating element connected to the battery, said cartridge comprising: asubstance chamber configured for containing therein a substance to besmoked, said substance chamber comprising a substance outlet; avaporization chamber in communication with the substance outlet forreceiving said substance therein; and at least one heat transfer unitconfigured, at least when the cartridge is assembled to the base part,for being heated by the heating element of the base part and for heatingthe substance being provided via said substance outlet for itsvaporization in the vaporization chamber; wherein the cartridge furthercomprises a sorption member at least partially disposed within thevaporization chamber.
 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, whereinheat is delivered from the heat transfer unit to the sorption member byconduction.
 3. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the heattransfer unit has a first side configured, when the cartridge isassembled to the base part, for interfacing the heating element forreceiving heat therefrom, and a second side facing the substance outletfor providing heat to the substance as the substance is provided fromthe substance outlet.
 4. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein,when the cartridge is assembled to the base part, the heating element isseparated from the vaporization chamber by the heat transfer unit. 5.The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge furthercomprises a porous member interposed between the substance outlet andthe vaporization chamber, and configured for allowing passage of saidsubstance from said substance chamber to said vaporization chamber. 6.The cartridge according to claim 5, wherein said vaporization chamber isinterposed between the porous member and the heat transfer unit.
 7. Thecartridge according to claim 5, wherein the porous member has a firstsurface facing the substance outlet, and a second surface facing theheat transfer unit.
 8. The cartridge according to claim 7, furthercomprising a mouthpiece having a mouthpiece channel, wherein the porousmember is formed with a hole extending therethrough between the firstsurface and the second surface and establishing fluid communicationbetween the vaporization chamber and the mouthpiece channel via avaporization channel, thereby allowing the vaporized substance to escapefrom the vaporization chamber via the mouthpiece.
 9. The cartridgeaccording to claim 5, wherein the porous member is sized and shaped tofit within a cross-section of one of the vaporization chamber and thesubstance chamber.
 10. The cartridge according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a cartridge housing at least partially including saidsubstance chamber and said vaporization chamber, and a vaporizationchannel extending along the cartridge housing and in fluid communicationwith the vaporization chamber; wherein the cartridge housing has aproximal end configured with a mouthpiece that is in fluid communicationwith the vaporization chamber via the vaporization channel, and a distalend associated with the heat transfer unit.
 11. The cartridge accordingto claim 10, wherein said heat transfer unit is disposed at said distalend.
 12. The cartridge according to claim 10, wherein said heat transferunit is perpendicular to the vaporization channel.
 13. The cartridgeaccording to claim 10, wherein said cartridge housing comprises a firstair inlet formed therein for establishing fluid communication between anexterior of the cartridge and the vaporization chamber for allowingpassage of air into the vaporization chamber for its vaporizationtherein with the substance.
 14. The cartridge according to claim 13,wherein said first air inlet is disposed in proximity to the distal endof the cartridge.
 15. The cartridge according to claim 10, wherein thebase part has a base housing having an interfacing portion associatedwith the heating element and configured for interfacing the distal endof the cartridge housing when the cartridge is assembled to the basepart, so as to bring the heating element into proximity or contact withthe heat transfer unit.
 16. The cartridge according to claim 15, whereinsaid cartridge housing comprises a first air inlet formed therein forestablishing fluid communication between an exterior of the cartridgeand the vaporization chamber for allowing passage of air into thevaporization chamber for its vaporization therein with the substance andwherein said interfacing portion comprises a second air inlet formedtherein that is configured, at least when the cartridge is assembled tothe base part, for establishing fluid communication between an exteriorof the electronic cigarette and the vaporization chamber via the firstand second air inlets for allowing passage of air into the vaporizationchamber for its vaporization therein with the substance.
 17. Thecartridge according to claim 16, wherein when the cartridge is assembledto the base part, said first air inlet and said second air inlet areinline with each other.
 18. An electronic cigarette comprising a basepart and a cartridge configured to be assembled thereto, said base partcomprising a battery and at least one heating element connected to thebattery, and said cartridge comprising: a substance chamber configuredfor containing therein a substance to be smoked, said substance chambercomprising a substance outlet; a vaporization chamber in communicationwith the substance outlet for receiving said substance therein; and atleast one heat transfer unit configured, at least when the cartridge isassembled to the base part, for being heated by the heating element ofthe base part and for heating the substance being provided via saidsubstance outlet for its vaporization in the vaporization chamber;wherein the cartridge further comprises a sorption member at leastpartially disposed within the vaporization chamber.
 19. The electroniccigarette according to claim 18, wherein heat is delivered from the heattransfer unit to the sorption member by conduction.
 20. The electroniccigarette according to claim 18, wherein the battery is configured forelectrically heating the heating element of the base part, so that theheating element provides heat by conduction to the heat transfer unit.21. The electronic cigarette according to claim 18, wherein the basepart further comprises a processor associated with electrical componentsof the electronic cigarette, including said battery.
 22. The electroniccigarette according to claim 21, wherein the base part further comprisesa sensing unit connected to the processor for identifying movement orpositioning of the electronic cigarette and thereby allow agesture-based operation of the electronic cigarette.
 23. The electroniccigarette according to claim 21, wherein the base part comprises apressure sensor or a microphone, connected to the processor forproviding puff detection.
 24. The electronic cigarette according toclaim 21, wherein the processor is configured for turning off theelectronic cigarette when a puff number breathed in and/or puffing timeis equivalent to a defined puff number and/or puffing time.